Blueberrry plant named &#39;RIDLEY 4514&#39;

ABSTRACT

The new blueberry plant variety ‘Ridley 4514’ is provided. ‘Ridley 4514’ is a commercial variety intended for the market. The variety is produced from a cross of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented), which can be distinguished by its outstanding features.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/965,151 filed on Jan. 24, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth.

LATIN NAME OF THE FAMILY, GENUS, AND SPECIES

Family—Ericaceae

Genus—Vaccinium

Species—hybrid

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new blueberry plant claimed is of the variety denominated ‘Ridley 4514’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety of Vaccinium hybrid (Southern Highbush Blueberry), which has been given the variety denomination of ‘Ridley 4514. Its market class is that of a fruiting plant. ‘Ridley 4514’ is intended for use as fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden plant.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2006 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2008 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strong plant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large to very large firm fruit suited to handling, high yield, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2009 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2006 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented).

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘C99-42’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness, high level of sweetness and very early flowering season whereas the seed parent has medium plant growth vigor, medium berry diameter, medium fruit firmness, medium level of sweetness and early-medium flowering season. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘C00-008’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness and very early flowering season whereas the pollen parent has strong plant growth vigor, large berry diameter, soft to medium fruit firmness and medium flowering season.

The new Vaccinium hybrid cultivar is a selection resulting from seedlings produced in a breeding programme of Vaccinium at Lindendale, NSW, Australia in 2006 from the controlled pollination of seed parent ‘C99-42’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,695) with pollen parent ‘C00-008’ (unpatented). The new cultivar was discovered and selected as a single plant within a population of 100 resulting Vaccinium hybrid plants from this controlled pollination in 2008 in a commercial field plantation environment at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Selection criteria was a combination of strong plant growth vigor, low chilling requirement, early time of flowering and fruit ripening, large firm fruit suited to handling, high yield, desirable tasting berries and small picking scar.

The selection was subsequently evaluated for a number of years at the commercial farms at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

The following characteristics of the new cultivar have been repeatedly observed and can be used to distinguish ‘RIDLEY 4514’ as a new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium hybrid plant:

-   1. Upright plant growth habit -   2. Very early timing of beginning of flowering -   3. early timing of fruit ripening -   4. Very strong plant growth vigor -   5. Dark blue berry color -   6. Berry firmness is very firm -   7. Picking scar is dry -   8. Leaf width is broad -   9. Berry size is large to very large -   10. Berry sweetness is medium to high

Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the seed parent ‘C99-42’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness, high level of sweetness and very early flowering season whereas the seed parent has medium plant growth vigor, medium berry diameter, medium fruit firmness, medium level of sweetness and early-medium flowering season. Plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of the pollen parent ‘C00-008’ primarily in very strong plant growth vigor, large to very large berry diameter, very firm fruit firmness and very early flowering season whereas the pollen parent has strong plant growth vigor, large berry diameter, soft to medium fruit firmness and medium flowering season.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by cutting propagation since 2009 at Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic illustration shows typical specimens in full color of the foliage and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514.’ The colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514’, demonstrating the plant's upright growth habit.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of the flower, leaf and fruit of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of the inflorescence of the new variety ‘Ridley 4514.’

The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the colors of the new blueberry.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Ridley 4514’. The data which defines these characteristics was collected from asexual reproductions of the original selection. Dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics are approximations and averages set forth as accurately as possible. The plant history was taken on plants approximately 4 years of age, and the descriptions relate to plants grown in the field in Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Descriptions of fruit characteristics were made on fruit grown in Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia. Color designations are from Lindendale, New South Wales, Australia.

Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2007 edition.

-   Classification:     -   -   a. Family.—Ericaceae.         -   b. Genus.—Vaccinium.         -   c. Species.—hybrid.         -   d. Common name.—Southern Highbush Blueberry. -   Parentage: Female parent — ‘C99-42.’ (U.S. Pat. No. 20,695). Male     Parent — ‘C00-008.’ (unpatented). -   Market class: A fruiting plant intended for use as fresh fruit for     shipping, customer pick and processing markets and as a home garden     plant. -   Plant: -   General:     -   -   Parentage.—Female Parent — ‘C99-42.’ (U.S. Pat. No. 20,695).             Male Parent — ‘C00-008.’ (unpatented).         -   Plant height.—2.0 m.         -   Plant width.—1.2 m.         -   Growth habit.—upright.         -   Growth.—very strong vigor.         -   Productivity.—Greater than 5 kg per season from 3-4 year old             plants planted at 3.0 m×0.9 m density.         -   Cold hardiness.—Has not been grown in all environments             including harsh winter environments.         -   Cold tolerance.—Cold tolerance is expected to be low.         -   Chilling requirement.—Has not been grown in all environments             and is typically grown as an evergreen crop where chilling             hours are not important. ‘Ridley 4514’ is classed as ‘low             chill’, typical of Southern Highbush Blueberry varieties             with an estimated chilling requirement of 250 hours (not             tested).         -   Tolerance to disease.—Moderate resistance to root disease             (phytophthora spp) and good resistance to blueberry rust.         -   Leafing.—Vegetative bud burst is late when grown as an             evergreen in Australia.         -   Twigginess.—Low. -   Stem: -   General:     -   -   Suckering tendency.—Plants typically have 5-7 major canes             per plant from a base 30 cm in diameter on 6 year old             plants.         -   Mature cane color.—Color greyed orange 198C.         -   Mature cane length.—0.8-0.9 m.         -   Mature cane width.—1.2 cm.         -   Bark texture.—Medium roughness (typical of species).         -   Surface texture of new wood.—Smooth.         -   Internode length on strong, new shoots.—15-20 mm.         -   Fruiting wood.—To 15 cm in length. -   Foliage: -   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of leaf bud burst.—late.         -   Leaf color (top side).—yellow green 147A.         -   Leaf color (under side).—yellow green 147C.         -   Leaf arrangement.—alternate.         -   Leaf shape.—elliptic.         -   Leaf margins.—entire.         -   Undulation of margin.—weak.         -   Leaf venation.—reticulate.         -   Leaf apices.—acuminate.         -   Leaf bases.—obtuse.         -   Leaf Length.—50-70 mm.         -   Leaf Width.—28-34 mm.         -   Leaf length/width ratio.—medium.         -   Leaf nectarines.—absent.         -   Pubescence of upper side.—absent.         -   Pubescence of lower side.—absent.         -   Cross sectional profile.—flat.         -   Longitudinal profile.—straight.         -   Attitude.—semi-upright to horizontal. -   Petioles:     -   -   Length.—1.0 to 3.0 mm.         -   Width.—2.0 mm.         -   Color.—yellow green 146C-147C. -   Flowers: -   General:     -   -   Time of beginning of flowering.—very early (late April to             Early May at Lindendale, NSW Australia).         -   Time of 50% anthesis.—early July at Lindendale, NSW             Australia.         -   Flower shape.—urceolate.         -   Flower bud density.—medium density.         -   Flower fragrance.—weak. -   Corolla:     -   -   Color.—white NN155D.         -   Length.—15-16 mm.         -   Width.—9-10 mm.         -   Aperture width.—3-5 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration of corolla.—absent.         -   Corolla ridges.—present.         -   Protrusion of stigma.—usually absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Length.—40 to 70 mm.         -   Diameter.—20-40 mm.         -   Length of peduncle.—15 mm.         -   Surface texture of peduncle.—smooth.         -   Color of peduncle.—yellow green 146C.         -   Length of pedicel.—8-10 mm.         -   Surface texture of pedicel.—smooth.         -   Color of pedicel.—yellow green 147C.         -   Number of flowers per cluster.—10-14.         -   Flower cluster density.—medium. -   Calyx (with sepals):     -   -   Diameter.—9-12 mm.         -   Color (sepals).—green 138C to yellow green 147C. -   Stamen:     -   -   Length.—4-5 mm.         -   Number per flower.—approximately 10.         -   Filament color.—yellow green 144D. -   Pistil:     -   -   Style.—length — 5-6 mm.         -   Ovary color (exterior).—yellow green 144D-yellow green 147C. -   Anther:     -   -   Length.—3.0-3.5 mm.         -   Number.—approximately 10.         -   Color.—grayed orange 167C-D. -   Pollen:     -   -   Abundance.—medium.         -   Color.—grayed orange 167C-D. Self-compatibility 60% fruit             set with own pollen in tests at Lindendale, NSW Australia. -   Fruit: -   General:     -   -   Time of fruit ripening.—early (Early July at Lindendale, NSW             Australia).         -   Time of 50% maturity.—mid-late September.         -   Fruit development period.—55 days.         -   Cluster density.—dense, 8-10 berries per cluster.         -   Unripe fruit color.—green 138A.         -   Ripe Berry color.—black 202A.         -   Berry surface wax abundance.—strong.         -   Berry flesh color.—grayed green 194A-195A.         -   Berry weight.—2.5-3.0 g.         -   Berry height from calyx to scar.—12-14 mm.         -   Berry diameter.—20 mm.         -   Berry shape.—oblate.         -   Fruit stem scar.—small (dry).         -   Sweetness when ripe.—medium to high.         -   Firmness when ripe.—firm.         -   Acidity when ripe.—weak.         -   Storage quality.—good, lasted 10 weeks at 2 degrees Celsius             in tests. Not tested with modified atmosphere storage yet.         -   Suitability for mechanical harvesting.—upright plant habit             and very firm fruit firmness, strong blush and fruit shape             suited to mechanical harvesting. Shake requirement and             season compactness not yet tested.         -   Self-fruitfulness.—60% fruit set with own pollen in tests at             Lindendale, NSW Australia.         -   Uses.—fresh fruit for shipping, customer pick and processing             markets and as a home garden plant. -   Seed: -   General:     -   -   Seed abundance in fruit.—abundant.         -   Seed color.—greyed orange 174B.         -   Seed length.—1.6-1.8 mm.

COMPARISON BETWEEN PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS Organ Context Ridley4514 Ridley 3402 Ridley 0501 C99-42 C00-008 Plant vigour Strong to very strong medium medium to strong strong strong Plant growth habit upright semi-upright upright to semi-upright semi-upright semi-upright One-year-old colour green green green green green shoot One-year-old length of medium medium medium medium medium shoot internode long to very long to very medium to long medium to long long Tong long Leaf length medium to medium to medium to broad to very Leaf width broad broad broad broad broad Leaf shape elliptic elliptic elliptic elliptic elliptic Leaf colour of upper green green green green green side Leaf intensity of medium medium light to medium medium dark green colour on upper side Leaf margin entire entire entire entire entire Flower bud anthocyanin weak weak weak weak weak coloration Flower shape of corolla urceolate urceolate urceolate urceolate urceolate Flower size of corolla medium small to medium medium medium tube medium Flower anthocyanin absent or very absent or very absent or very weak to absent or very colouration of weak weak weak medium weak corolla tube Flower ridges on present present present present present corolla tube medium to Fruit cluster density medium medium dense dense dense Unripe fruit intensity of light light light light light green colour Fruit size large to very medium medium large large large Fruit shape in oblate oblate round round round longitudinal section Fruit attitude of erect erect erect erect erect sepals Fruit diameter of medium to medium to small to medium medium calyx basin large medium large Fruit depth of calyx medium to deep to very deep deep deep basin deep deep Fruit intensity of weak to strong medium medium medium bloom strong Fruit colour of skin dark blue dark blue dark blue dark blue dark blue Fruit firmness firm soft to medium medium to firm medium soft to medium Fruit sweetness medium to high medium to high low to medium medium medium to high Fruit acidity weak medium to high medium to high low to medium low Time of vegetative bud late medium medium early medium burst Time of beginning of early to early very early medium medium flowering very early Time of beginning of early to early to early to medium medium to late fruit ripening early medium medium 

1. A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant named ‘Ridley 4514’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 